Pump



p 6, 1969 L. E. RUSSELL 3,467,020

PUMP

Filed June 27, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR LINUS E. RUSSELL BY fan-L A TTORNF' Y United States Patent 3,467,020 PUMP Linus E. Russell, Springfield, Ohio, assignor to Peters and Russell, Inc., Springfield, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed June 27, 1967, Ser. No. 649,271 Int. Cl. F041) 43/04, 11/00 US. Cl. 103-150 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to improvements in pumps rendering them more compact, more economical to fabricate and less likely to malfunction. More importantly, it endows them with a smoother and more uniform operating pattern.

Pumps dedicated to the pressured flow of water are generally noisy and seldom maintain a uniformity in their flow characteristics. The problems thus indicated have necessitated the expenditure of much time, labor and money in efforts to find a solution. While, as a result of such efforts, the art has developed various types of surge chambers and baffles which have afforded some gain in the right direction, the degree of success in finding the right solution has heretofore been quite limited.

The present invention not only carries the pump art a step forward in the area above mentioned but it also affords pumps with other desirable characteristics. The invention provides a simpler pump structure, one composed of a minimum number of parts and having a flow pattern wherein operating losses are minimized. Such pump is therefore economical to fabricate and draws a minimal power load in use. Moreover, its size for a given capacity is minimized.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are characterized by novelly contoured bladder type cushioning elements with which form uniquely functioning flow surfaces for fluids entering and leaving the pump. Such elements obviate the need for conventional surge chambers as heretofore provided since the flow pattern produced thereby is smooth, relatively quiet and enables the pump to operate at a high efficiency within its inherent operating limits.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a pump having particular application to producing a pressured displacement of water which is economical to fabricate, more eflicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pump which has a smoother and more uniform operating pattern.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pump the size of which for a given capacity is minimized.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a pump which obviates the need for conventional surge chambers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pump characterized by a bladder-type structure providing a uniquely functioning flow surface for fluids moving to and from the pump, resulting in an improved flow pattern and, in the process thereof, a minimal load on the pump operating components.

3,467,020 Patented Sept. 16, 1969 Another object of the invention is to provide a highly compact pump structure characterized by a high operating efliciency and increased capacity for its relative size.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved water pump comprising an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber, a flow passage therebetween separated therefrom by inlet and outlet valve means, and means to induce a flow through said chambers by way of said flow passage wherein said chambers are characterized by contoured cushioning flow surfaces effective in the operation of the pump to control and balance the loads imposed on the inflow and outflow valves whereby to produce an advantageous control of their spring rates, increase their efliciency and reduce their component wear.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved pump possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation here described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by a Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the drawings wherein are shown some but not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact pump structure as enabled by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of components of the base portions of the pump of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the underside of the block component of the base which is shown uppermost in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the pump as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6;

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7 with the bladder removed for clarity of disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a view of the undersurface of the bladder employed in the embodiments of the invention here illustrated.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The invention embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 is characterized by a rectangular base formed in the main by a shell 10 which is open to its bottom. The shell 10 includes a top 11, dependent front and rear walls 12 and 13 and side walls 14 and 15. An integral fore and aft partition 16 is positioned intermediately of and parallel to the side walls 14 and 15 to divide the shell cavity into an input chamber 17 and an output chamber 18.

The open bottom of the shell 10 is bridged by a unique flexible bladder 19. This bladder has multiple functions as will be further described. It includes a flat peripheral rim portion 20 which seats coextensively with the bottom edge of the shell 10. It further includes a narrow central strip portion 21 which lies co-planar with the rim 20 and seats simultaneously therewith coextensively with the bottom edge of the partition 16. A bottom plate 22 is fixed in underlying bridging relation to the bladder 19 by screws which extend therethrough and into appropriately formed openings in the bottom edges of the shell 10 and its partition 16. In the process the bladder portions 20 and 21 are clamped to the shell and serve as a gasket, acting 3 thereby to effect a seal of the bottoms of the chambers 17 and 18 and further acting with the plate 22 to provide a seal of the bladder.

As seen in the drawings the bladder portions 20 and 21 define its base and outline two rectangular, convexly contoured, bladder portions 23 and 24 which rise vertically from the plate 22 and respectively from therewith sealed air pockets 25 and 26. The one portion 23 rises upwardly and inwardly of the inlet chamber 17 while the other is similarly accommodated in the chamber 18.

The portions 23 and 24 have an identical contour. Each includes side walls which extend generally perpendicular to the bottom plate 22 to a level about half way up the adjacent generally parallel walls of the related chamber. At its top each of the portions 23 and 24 is relatively flat but gently rounded and formed with two rectangularly intersecting depressions 27 and 28 forming valleys of equal depth. The depressions 27 and 28 cause the upper ends of the bladder portions 23 and 24 to assume the contour of four inverted cups 29 which project like towers from the level of the depressions or valleys. The inverted cups 29 provide air cavities 30 which mutually open at their bottoms to the common air cavity 31 formed below the plane of the depressions. Thus, each of the air pockets 25 and 26 consist of a base portion 31 and four communieating tower-like cupped portions 30. It will be seen thereby that the floor of each of the chambers 17 and 18 has a highly irregular surface. Each floor has formed therein a peripheral valley, the bottom of which forms a lower level, joined by two rectangularly intersecting valleys at an intermediate level which together therewith bound four resilient vertically projected hollow structures.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the front wall 12 of the base includes a pair of centered transversely spaced apertures. One aperture which opens to the chamber 17 immediately above the bladder portion 23 accommodates a fixed nesting therein of a projected inlet tube 32. The other aperture fixedly nests one end of a projected outlet tube 33. The latter opens from the output chamber 18, immediately above the bladder portion 24.

In respective alignment with the inlet tube 32 and outlet tube 33 the top 11 of the shell 10 includes a pair of transversely spaced apertures 34 and 35. The apertures 34 and 35 are relatively adjacent the front wall 12. In the top 11 a recessed shoulder rims aperture 34 and seats the peripheral frame of an intake valve assembly 36, the latter being of a conventional flap-type, The aperture 35 is similarly rimmed by a recessed shoulder which seats the peripheral frame of a similar outlet valve 37.

In the example illustrated a shallow molded block structure 38 is superposed on the top of the base 10. The block 38 has a central elliptical recess the base of which is relatively flat and includes two openings 39 and 40. In the superposition of the block 38, the openings 39 and 40 respectively align with the apertures 34 and 35 while the portions of the block surrounding these openings seat to the peripheral frames of the valve units to fix them in place.

superposed coextensively with the block 38 is a diaphragm 41 including an elliptical fold which lies immediately within the boundary of the block structure defining its elliptical recess and projects upwardly therefrom. This elliptical fold is immediately contained in an elliptical aperture 43 of a plate 42 which otherwise seats to and coextensively with the diaphragm 41. In the process, the diaphragm 41 is stressed to place its elliptically defined central portion in a bridging relation to the elliptical recess in the block 38. This creates a pumping chamber 44 which communicates with the input chamber 17 through the apertures 39 and 34 and the interposed intake valve 36. The pumping chamber is similarly communicated with the output chamber 18 through the medium of the apertures 40 and 35 and the interposed outlet valve 37.

Openings are suitably provided in the plate 42, diaphragm 41, block 38, and base 10 for the extension therethrough of bolts so contrived and applied to clamp these elements in a fixed relation.

The central portion of the diaphragm 41 which forms one wall of the pumping chamber 44 has fixed to either side thereof a small elliptical plate 65 by a bolt which extends therethrough from the underside of the diaphragm to project upwardly thereof and engage in the lower end of a vertically reciprocable arm or rod member 45. The upper end of the rod 45 is bearingly mounted on a projected pin which is eccentrically positioned on one end of a drive shaft 46. It will be observed that the eccentric reciprocation of the rod 45 produces an eccentric flexing of the diaphragm 41 and that the elliptical plates in connection with the diaphragm are spaced from the rimming wall structure a distance suflicient to permit this eccentric flexing.

A block type superstructure projected upwardly from the plate 42 at its edge adjacent the rear wall 13 of the base 10 provides a housing 47 for a bearing which accommodates the projection therethrough of the drive shaft 46 and its relative rotation. A plate 48 is fixed to the rearmost face of the housing 47 to project vertically of the base 10. The plate 48 is apertured for extension therethrough of the shaft 46 which mounts at its outer face a large pulley 49. The periphery of the. pulley 49 is provided with teeth to simulate a gear. At its upper end and at its face remote from the pulley 49 the plate 48 mounts perpendicular thereto a motor 50. In the example illustrated it is to be noted that the motor is in the plane of the bearing housing 47 and projects in a sense over the center of the base 10 and within the bounds thereof. This produces an exceedingly compact structure. The motor, of course, may be shifted for different applications but it is best positioned where it lies generally in the plane of the housing 47. To continue, in reference to the structure illustrated, the motor drive shaft 51 projects through the plate 48 to mount a pulley 52 co-planar with the pulley 49. The pulley 52 has a similar peripheral configuration and is drivingly related to the pulley 49 by a belt 53 the inner surface of which is provided with tooth-like formations to complement the teeth on the pulleys.

In the operation of the pump described the energization of the motor 50 produces an eccentric flex of the diaphragm 41 by rod 45. Correspondingly, and in rapid succession, a suction is first induced to draw fluid to and through the inlet chamber 17 and, by way of valve 36, to the pumping chamber 44. Subsequently, the charge of fluid in the pumping chamber is pushed through the outlet valve 37 to the output chamber 18, from which it moves in a pressured flow through the outlet tube 33.

While the operation is to the extent described conventional, the bladder 19 has a unique influence on the flow pattern and the effect thereof on the operation of the pump is highly desirable. For example, as the fluid, in this case water, moves to the inlet chamber 17 by way of the inlet tube 32, it encounters an irregularly formed flow surface of a yielding resilient character. The peaks and valleys of the bladder portion 23 resiliently accommodate the inflow, break up any tendency thereof to pulsate or hammer, and, in response to the pressure of the incoming fluid, give it reactant impulses. By this means the flow is smoothed, cushioned, and the reactant forces add a lift factor that reduces the load on the pump consequent to its insuction activity. Correspondingly, as the diaphragm is flexed in the direction to pressure the water from the pumping chamber to the output chamber 18 by way of the outlet valve 37, in the process thereof the inlet valve is caused to be sealed. The water in moving to the output chamber contacts the irregular flow surface provided by the bladder portion 24. Again, as did the portion 23, the bladder portion 24 resiliently accommodates the outgoing water, breaks and smooths its surge pattern on its peaks and in its valleys and produces reactant thrust. The latter tends to exert a balancing influence as the diaphragm approaches a direction to flex oppositely once more. It momentarily cushions and delays the movement of the full charge from the pumping chamber. This condition results in a more uniform flow pattern. It is also believed the inlet valve is slightly delayed in opening during the sequence of movement described so that the pumping chamber is more effectively cleared prior to inflow of the next charge. The net result appears to be a balancing control of the spring rate of the inlet and outlet valves in a manner to achieve a predictable and optimal pump function.

Accordingly, the exiting flow is smoother and quieter than would normally be anticipated in a pump of the character described. The balancing factors introduced by the contoured bladder portions ease and smooth the fiow to such an extent that the need for conventional surge chambers disappears. Moreover, the minimizing of the load on the pumping elements which is achieved by the use of the described contoured bladder portions has enabled pumps which can operate at a much higher capacity for a given unit size. A highly compact and more economical pump is enabled thereby.

FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings illustrate a modification of the invention which may be advantageous for use in larger pumps. In larger pumps directed to certain applications it may be desirable to have more of a cushioning and reactant thrust by the floor surfaces of the chambers 17 and 18. To this end, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom plate 22 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6 is replaced by a rectangular cup-shaped plate 54. Moreover, a second bladder 19 is positioned in underlying relation to the first as previously described with their base portions 20 and 21 in sealing abutting relation. The abutted base portions are clamped to the bottom of the shell by the rim 60 of the bottom plate 54 and the upper edge of its central fore and aft partition 55. Of course, the bottom plate 54 is suitably secured to the base 10 by engagement of screws or the like through its rim 60 to bottom edge portions of the shell 10.

With the bladders 19 abutted as described they form therebetween enlarged air pockets 61 as defined by their opposed contoured portions 23 and 24. This may be readily observed from FIG. 7 of the drawings.

It is to be further noted that the interior base of the cup-shaped bottom plate 54 is provided with shallow rectangularly intersecting partitions 56 which project upwardly to terminate in closely spaced relation to the inverted peaks of the lower bladder 19. The bottom plate including partitions 56 form with the lower bladder 19 sealed air pockets therebelow to either side of the partition 55.

In the function of a large pump employing the modification of FIGS. 7 and 8, the flow surfaces provided by the upper bladder portions 23 and 24 overlie, in each instance, two air columns. The first column is defined between the opposed bladder portions 23 and 24 and the second below the lower bladder element. Thus, there is a reflection of the pressures and deflections imposed on the surface portions of the upper bladder through first a substantial air column of irregular configuration and secondly through a shallow air column therebelow. The segments 56 in the bottom of the plate 55 help to dampen transmitted forces and control the reactant thrusts produced on the water as it is flowing to and from the pump. In any event, the function and effect of the modification of FIGS. 7 and 8 is generally the same as described in reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings. As may be readily seen, in the last instance the modification described serves to more readily balance and smooth pumps which normally operate under extremely heavy load.

The sum total result of the invention is to further enable a pump the operating components of which have a longer and more satisfactory working life. This is inherent in the benefits and advantages achieved in the use of the contoured bladder 19 and a compact structure wherein air problems are obviated.

A further feature of the invention embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is the mount of pressure switches 57 to the side 14 of the base 10. The switches are of a con ventional nature for the described application. Moreover, the side 14 is suitably apertured to communicate the switches with the chamber 18. However, since the detail of the switches and their function does not per se form part of the invention, they are not further described. Further, note that the mount of the switches facilitates the achievement of a stable compact pump unit.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A pump comprising means defining an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber, and a flow passage therebetween and means to induce flow through said chambers characterized by cushioning means providing an underlying flow surface on the bottom of at least one of said chambers, said cushioning means being so formed that it includes in said flow surface multiple vertically projected tower-like structures which are spaced and which are individually resiliently deflectable, said flow surface being so arranged thereby to provide a multi-leveled irregular floor for said one chamber the vertically projected portions of which are adapted to resiliently channel the fluid which moves thereover to flow therebetween, about and over said flow surface to repetitively engage and react to their resilient deflection which is effective to break and smooth its surge pattern and produce in response thereto reactant impulses which expedite its flow.

2. A pump as in claim 1 wherein said cushioning means is provided by formed diaphragm means commonly forming a similarly contoured flow surface at the bottom of each said chamber, said vertically projected portions being hollowed so each thereof is air cushioned and there being portions of said flow surface defining intersecting valleys which selectively bound said vertically projected portions.

3. A pump as in claim 1 characterized by said cushioning means comprising a pair of relatively inverted resilient diaphragms connected to seal therebetween a pocket of air, one of the remote surfaces of said diaphragms constituting said underlying flow surface.

4. In the flow system of a pumping or like operation, means for underlying, smoothing and imparting energy to the flow, said means being spaced to position in at least an inflow portion and an outflow portion of said system and including means defining floor surfaces contoured to produce thereon multiple, vertically projected, relatively spaced tower-like portions and adjacent valley portions, said tower-like portions being individually resiliently deflectable and together with said valley portions being operative on flow t-hereacross to resiliently deflect in cooperative repetitive fashion to compositely produce a dynamic balancing influence on the pattern of flow in a manner to minimize the load on the system and thereby achieve an optimal volumetric efliciency.

5. A system as in claim 4 characterized by said towerlike portions being hollowed and air filled.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 characterized by both said valley and tower-like portions having in connection therewith means which provide thereunder a cushion of air.

7. A base unit for a diaphragm or like pump comprising a base member including two pockets providing separated chambers each open to their bottom, bladder means received in a closing coextensive relation to the open bottoms of said chambers, said bladder means having formed therein and projected upwardly therefrom within said chambers multiple resilient tower-like portions which are spaced to provide vertically extended relatively deflectable surface portions for multiple repeated contact with fluid flowing through said chambers, said bladder means having portions which define intersecting surfaces bounding the bases of said tower-like portions, there being means fixing said bladder means to said base member to seal said chambers and further means providing that in underlying relation to said bladder means there is an air cushion.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7 characterized by the uppermost surface portions of said bladder means defining a plane having formed therein intersecting depressions to create the vertically projected tower-like portions which provide a plurality of individually deflectable towers.

9. A base unit for a diaphragm or like pump including a generally hollow base member providing a surface uppermost to serve as a seat for superposing pump components, said member having dependent side walls and an intermediate interior dividing wall, the bottom of said base member being open, said dividing wall forming separated chambers in said base member open to their bottom, fluid flow openings in said base member providing for flow to and from the respective upper portions of said chambers, bladder means received in a closing coextensive relation to the open bottom of said base member, said bladder means having spaced portions projected upwardly within said chambers, there being means mounted to the bottom of said base member clamping said bladder means to said side walls and to said dividing wall to individually seal the bottoms of said chambers, said bladder means providing thereby that under the uppermost or flow surface thereof there are hollowed pockets positioned below fluid flow openings to the respective chambers, said bladder means including multiple vertically projected spaced towers and adjacent valleys providing extensive resiliently deflectable surfaces for contact by fluid which enters and moves through said chambers and said bladder means being formed in each chamber to include side wall portions which extend generally vertical to its base, the uppermost surface of the bladder means being generally flat and formed with rectangularly intersecting depressions defining thereby said projected portions which form a plurality of deflectable towers.

10. A base unit for a diaphragm or like pump including a generally hollow base member providing a surface uppermost to serve as a seat for super-posing pump components, said member having dependent side walls and an intermediate interior dividing wall, the bottom of said base member being open, said dividing wall forming separated chambers in said base member open to their bottom, fluid flow openings in said base member providing for flow to and from the respective upper portions of said chambers, bladder means received in a closing coextensive relation to the open bottom of said base member, said bladder means having spaced portions projected upwardly within said chambers, there being means mounted to the bottom of said base member clamping said bladder means to said side walls and to said dividing wall to individually seal the bottoms of said chambers, said bladder means providing thereby that under the upermost or flow surface thereof there are hollowed pockets positioned below fluid flow openings to the respective chambers, and further bladder means formed similarly to the first mentioned bladder means and clamped in an inverted opposed relation thereto, said clamping means including a plate cooperating with the side walls of said base member and with the dividing wall thereof to clamp said bladder means in mutually contacting respectively sealed together relation, said plate being recessed to form additional chambers below said relatively inverted bladder means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. l03l52, 223 

